Amar Chitra Katha announced the launch of their latest comic - Tirupati. Based on fact and legends surrounding India's richest temple, Tirupati aims to capture a pan-Indian cultural ethos given the temple's iconic status as one of the richest temples in the world and its great reverence amongst Indian people from all walks of life.

The temple of Tirupati is an integral part of our cultural



eritage. From the northern tip of the country to its huge southern following, Tirupati has always captured the imagination and devotion of India, be it film-stars to paupers. The unique mix of legends like Sage Bhrigu's insult to Lakshmi, the domestic quarrel that leads to Lord Vishnu coming to earth, living as a mere mortal, the unique association of Padmavati with Lord Venkateshwara, and of how we till today offer our hair to the Lord to clear his debt to a Gandharva Princess, are retold in this comic.

Commending the efforts made in writing the book, Dr K Venkata Ramanachari (IAS), Principal Secretary Revenue (Endowments) Govt.of Andhra Pradesh, said "The Amar Chitra Katha on Tirupati is an excellent effort to convey the story of the temple. It will be a source of great enlightenment, not only for children, but also for all people who have a bent of mind towards the tradition, culture, devotion and spirituality of our nation."

The launch of Tirupati is the culmination of months of hard work and research for the team at Amar Chitra Katha. Reena I. Puri, Editor, Amar Chitra Katha, sums it up succinctly, "To pay a tribute as iconic as this, we required various highly motivated individuals to come together as a team. From accurate research to an interesting script and beautiful illustrations, it has been our endeavor to maintain the sanctity and respect due to this magnificent institution. We are also grateful to Dr K. Venkata Ramanachari for vetting the script, and for his valuable inputs."

Artist, Sundara Moorthy, credited with Illustrations and Cover, adds "Before I started drawing the comic, I visited the temple of Tirupati for my research. I spent




d beautiful illustrations, it has been our endeavor to maintain the sanctity and respect due to this magnificent institution. We are also grateful to Dr K. Venkata Ramanachari for vetting the script, and for his valuable inputs."

Artist, Sundara Moorthy, credited with Illustrations and Cover, adds "Before I started drawing the comic, I visited the temple of Tirupati for my research. I spent two days sketching the area and the statues, so I could depict them accurately. A lot of the designs I've used in the backgrounds of the comic have been derived from actual stone carvings and sculptures that I saw in Tirupati."

Script Writer, Aruna Balkrishna Singh concluded, "Amar Chitra Katha has been a part of Indian literature and history for decades now, with an entire generation being brought up on a staple fare of its varied titles. To have associated with them on a title as iconic as this, is a humbling experience in itself."

Tirupati will be available on stands from July 15, 2011.